Connor Hood - Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON - The visiting Saskatchewan Huskies spoiled the Alberta Golden Bears banner raising night, scoring five unanswered goals in the second and third period for a convincing 5-2 win, Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena.
The win is a bit of revenge for the Huskies, who lost to the Bears in last years Canada West Final, and U SPORTS Semifinal. It also marks the first time the Bears have lost at Clare Drake Arena since February 4th, 2017, snapping Alberta's 18-game home winning streak.
Kohl Bauml, Tanner Lishchynsky, Logan McVeigh, Jordan Tkatch and Jaimen Yakubowski lit the lamp for Saskatchewan on Saturday, who were easily the better team throughout the win. Taran Kozun also added 30 saves on 32 shots, earning his fifth career Canada West win.
Both of Alberta's goals came in the first minute of a period, including Cole Sanford's bullet 54 seconds into the first frame. The Bears couldn't add to their early lead, however, in a period largely controlled by Saskatchewan. The Huskies fired 11 shots on Bears starter Brendan Burke, forcing the third-year netminder to make a handful of tough saves from in tight.
Bears rookie Curtis Miske doubled the Alberta lead 20 seconds into the second frame, beating Kozun from distance for his first career goal. The goal almost seemed the spark the Huskies, who scored twice inside three minutes to level the game at two. Bauml cut the Alberta lead in half, beating Burke with a quick snap-shot from the slot. Lishchnsky leveled the game two and a half minutes later, beating Burke on a partial breakaway off a delayed penalty.
McVeigh gave Saskatchewan their first lead of the game at 15:09 of the second, as his quick shot from the circle beat Burke shortside.
The Huskie domination continued on into the third, as their forecheck gave the Bears fits. Following a lengthy powerplay, Tkatch extended the Huskie lead to two, tapping in a rebound kicked out after Colby Harmsworth's breakaway was stopped.
Just as the Bears began their push for a comeback, Yakubowski sealed the Huskie win, scoring with four minutes left in regulation.
The two rivals will finish their weekend series tomorrow, with puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Clare Drake Arena.